Dartmoor Guided Walking with Sightseeing for Solos

New holidays 2027 dates available Early Booking Offer

5 nights accommodation

Availability Apr 2027

One itinerary available

Grades 2 details

107kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£1,349

pp

Members From

£1,319

pp

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
Enjoy the freedom of holidaying as a solo traveller but with the bonus of friendly company throughout. Step into the wild heart of Dartmoor National Park on this guided walking with sightseeing holiday, exclusively for solos. Enjoy short, guided walks (4-5 miles), combined with time spent discovering local highlights. Together we’ll explore the dramatic landscapes that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, walk to granite tors and ancient clapper bridges, and dive into the region’s industrial past at Brimpts Tin Mine. We’ll also marvel at the architecture of Castle Drogo, admire the Benedictine Buckfast Abbey, and round off with a nostalgic ride on the South Devon Railway.

Accommodation

A range of handpicked hotels...
The Moorland Hotel is set in the wild landscapes of Dartmoor National Park, just a stone’s throw from the iconic granite tor of Haytor with a wealth of walks in close vicinity. It offers comfortable ensuite rooms, all with TV, coffee and tea making facilities, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is dog-friendly, too, so you may meet four-legged friends in some of the communal areas.
Moorlands Hotel dining room.png

Walking grades and options

This trip is graded level 2.  

Your fitness 

Having a solid base of fitness before your holiday will ensure you've the best chance of completing the holiday and enjoying it to boot. Here's a few simple tips to help you get fit and ready for your challenge: 

  • Get out walking - whether the weather, get out there, and start building your fitness months before your holiday
  • Build your distance gradually and get a number of 3-4hr days in
  • Ideally, try and do two consecutive days training if possible
  • Take the stairs every time
  • Train on different terrain
  • Train with your day pack and your walking boots too, to ensure they're well worn in before your holiday
  • Other sports help improve your walking fitness too. The best ones are jogging, cycling, swimming, which will build your stamina, and yoga which will help strengthen your core and improve balance
  • Time training will help ensure you enjoy your holiday to the max.

What You’ll Love

  • Discovering some of Dartmoor’s famous Tors 
  • Ride on the South Devon Railway 
  • Visiting Castle Drogo and Buckfast Abbey
  • Exploring some of Dartmoor’s picturesque towns and villages 
  • Learning about Dartmoor’s tin mine heritage

What's Included

  • Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation(s)
  • Tickets to Buckfast Abbey, South Devon Railway and Dartmoor Prison Museum
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning 
  • Daily packed lunches
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee  
  • Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
  • All transport to and from walks where necessary 
  • Dedicated solos host
  • Welcome drinks reception
  • Farewell dinner with drinks included

Reviews


Gallery

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Distance: 3 miles (5km) 

Ascent: 800 feet (240m) 

Today we explore some of Dartmoor’s famous Tors. We walk from the hotel up to Haytor and across the moors to Hound Tor, one of the most filmed locations on the moor and inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write The Hound of the Baskervilles, arguably the most famous case of fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. We then head to the picturesque village of Widecome in the Moor to visit the historic St Pancras Church. 

Distance: 4 miles (6km) 

Ascent: 300 feet (100m) 

We begin our day with a visit to Buckfast Abbey, home to a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine Monks. We have time to explore the Abbey church, gardens and Exhibition centre (admission included). It’s then on to the South Devon Railway Museum where we can explore the exhibits before boarding the train to Staverton (tickets included). A walk alongside the River Dart brings us to Dartington where you will have some free time to explore the estate, you could visit the gardens or heritage centre (both payable locally).

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km) 

Ascent: 300 feet (100m) 

Our first stop today is Post Bridge. Be sure to have cameras at the ready as we visit a clapper bridge built in the 13th century which is said to be one of Dartmoor’s best. We then have time to stop by the visitor centre before we begin our walk. Heading out of the village and up on to the Moors, we’ll pass Laughter Tor and descend towards Brimpts Tin Mine. Don’t miss the information boards at the mine – they offer a fascinating insight into the area’s industrial past. We then get the bus to Princetown where we visit the Prison Museum (admission included), and you have some free time to explore the village. 

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km) 

Ascent: 200 feet (60m) 

Our final day sees us visiting Castle Drogo, famously the last castle built in England. The 20th century castle overlooks the Teign Gorge (admission not included as this is a National Trust property). Once we’ve explored the castle, we’ll walk together to the charming village of Chagford, the final stop of our tour. 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

Daily Walk Options

Grade 2

Easier Walks

Good paths but walks are a bit longer. Some walks, particularly in mountain areas, may have sections over rough or steeper terrain.

Accommodation

The Moorland Hotel

The Moorland Hotel is set in the wild landscapes of Dartmoor National Park, just a stone’s throw from the iconic granite tor of Haytor with a wealth of walks in close vicinity. It offers comfortable ensuite rooms, all with TV, coffee and tea making facilities, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is dog-friendly, too, so you may meet four-legged friends in some of the communal areas.

Food & drink

Your stay is full-board. This includes daily breakfasts, packed lunch options, and evening meals. Vegetarian choices and dietary requirements can be catered for (please give advance notice when booking). 

Packed lunches 

Our packed lunches will be too much food for some and not enough for others; if you feel you might need more food during the walk, please bring a supply of snacks to supplement this – it won’t always be possible to buy these on the route. Your packed lunches will include: a bread sandwich or roll with a choice of filling; some fresh fruit; fruit cake/flapjack or similar, crisps and/or biscuits. For those of you tackling a level 4 or above holiday, we would highly recommend bringing some trail mix or something similar to ensure you've some fuel in reserve should you need it. 

Dietary requirements 

Our partner hotels can cater for most dietary requirements, but it is important you advise us of any allergies and dietary restrictions you have at the time of booking. 

Getting here

Address

The Moorland Hotel
Haytor
Newton Abbot
TQ13 9XT

The easiest journey is by car. If you wish to travel by public transport, please see below.

By bus/train

The nearest train station is at Newton Abbot, about 9 miles from Haytor. You would need to get a local taxi from Newton Abbot to the hotel, which we recommend pre-booking. There are a number of firms to choose from. Journey time: approximately 20 minutes. Price: approximately £25.

More Information

Walking safety

Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and minimum number of guests.

Leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole, and may need to alter or curtail the walk if the conditions dictate. Your leader may refuse to accept a guest where clothing, equipment or behaviour is unsuitable. In the event of a problem all leaders carry a mobile phone, first aid kit, group shelter, spare maps and a compass.

Please note: If you choose to leave the group your leader is no longer responsible for you.

If you have a particular health condition or disability please put this on your guest registration form. This information will be confidential to your leaders and the house manager, but leaders do need to take account of any issues when planning walks. Please carry a copy of these trip notes with you, or note down the contact phone number for your accommodation (details in the travel section) should you need them in case of emergency.

Packing list - UK Guided Walking

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip  
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket 
  • Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)  
  • Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
  • Waterproof overtrousers  
  • Gloves and a warm hat  
  • Rucksack with waterproof liner 
  • Flask for hot drinks   
  • Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)  
  • Sunscreen  
  • UV sunglasses  

For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:

  • spare warm clothing
  • spare high energy food
  • head torch and spare batteries
  • please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+

Recommended  

  • Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)  
  • Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters  
  • First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent and tick remover tool
  • Sit mat   
  • Waterproof pouch for valuables  
  • Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)  
  • Wallet/purse  
  • Camera
  • Walking poles

Carbon Footprint - 107kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: DBC05-WOS11

Share

Dates & availability

Dartmoor Guided Walking with Sightseeing for Solos

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership

2027

25 Apr - 30 Apr 2027

5 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

Call to Enquire

Call to Enquire

Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£1,369

pp

£1,339

pp

Early Booking Offer Save £50 Per Person

25 Apr - 30 Apr 2027

5 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

Call to Enquire

Call to Enquire

Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£1,399 £1,349

pp

£1,369 £1,319

pp
Image

Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

Image

Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

Image

Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

Image

Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

Image

Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

Image

HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

Your Wishlist
No Wishlist Items

Start your next adventure.

Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to save a holiday to your wishlist.